British officers get German police powers

Wednesday 31 May 2006 20.39 EDT
First published on Wednesday 31 May 2006 20.39 EDT

The squad of 46 British police officers who will patrol German railway stations, airports and public transport during the World Cup will have the same powers of arrest as the local federal police.

They will be deployed in cities where the bulk of the 100,000-plus travelling England supporters are expected and, in a unique policing experiment, will sign up as auxiliary German police officers, which will give them arrest powers and the right to conduct interviews.

Superintendent Roger Evans, operational commander, stressed that the team, made up of 31 transport police and 15 officers with expertise in policing football fans, would be working alongside German officers. "If there is any disorder, we will be withdrawn to a place of safety."

The purpose of the British contingent, who will wear their traditional uniforms, is to act as a visible reassurance to fans and iron out cultural misunderstandings. "Trouble often happens because of misunderstandings. We will be treating the English fans not on their reputation but on their behaviour," said Supt Evans.

He hoped the tournament would be peaceful."England fans enhanced their reputation during Euro 2004 in Portugal and they have made a conscious effort to get rid of the bad name that has been attached to them for so long."

Five German officers are spending the week at the Hendon police training college in north London, helping the team with German law and policing methods. Dietmar Wolf, a captain, warned hooligans could expect "zero tolerance", and those who engaged in Nazi salutes faced being detained before being sent home.